Chalk and accessory container

ABSTRACT

A gym chalk container including two chambers, a chalk chamber, and an accessory chamber. The chalk chamber includes a first open end and a first closed end, with a mesh screen positioned at the first open end. The chalk chamber further includes a first cap positioned to close the first open end. The accessory chamber includes a second open end and a second closed end. The accessory chamber further includes a second cap positioned to close the second open end.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/934,335 filed on Nov. 12, 2019, entitled “Chalk and AccessoryContainer”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatus and methods forcontaining and dispensing gym chalk and for storing personal items.

BACKGROUND

Many persons use gym chalk during athletic or recreational activities.Activities where gym chalk may be applied by a user to their handsinclude but are not limited to gymnastics, weightlifting, climbing,organized exercise classes and the like. Various containers and bagsexist to store and/or dispense gym chalk. Known chalk bags or otherchalk containers can be somewhat large, messy and inconvenient to use.Known chalk bags or other chalk containers tend to be shared by manypersons during an activity. This has caused concerns during the Covid-19pandemic of 2020.

Persons engaging in activities such as gymnastics, weightlifting,climbing or organized exercise classes can also find it inconvenient tocomfortably store small personal items during their activities. Theembodiments disclosed herein are directed toward overcoming one or moreof the above problems.

SUMMARY

One embodiment disclosed herein includes a gym chalk container. The gymchalk container includes two chambers, a chalk chamber, and an accessorychamber. The chalk chamber includes a first open end and a first closedend, with a mesh screen positioned at the first open end. The chalkchamber further includes a first cap positioned to close the first openend. The accessory chamber includes a second open end and a secondclosed end. The accessory chamber further includes a second cappositioned to close the second open end.

In certain embodiments of gym chalk container, the chalk chamber isseparable from the accessory chamber. In other embodiments, the chalkchamber and accessory chamber are permanently affixed to each otherimplemented as a unitary device. The first closed end of the chalkchamber is positioned adjacent to the second closed end of the accessorychamber. Thus, the first open end of the chalk chamber faces away fromthe second closed end of the accessory chamber.

Alternative embodiments include methods of dispensing gym chalk from agym chalk container as disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gym chalk container as disclosedherein.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gym chalk container ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative gym chalk container asdisclosed herein.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of portions of the gym chalk containerof FIG. 3, showing an internal center plug in dashed lines.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a threaded end piece housing a meshscreen.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the threaded end piece of FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an attachment ring.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tubular accessory chamber.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tubular chalk chamber.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of first and second end caps.

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the first and second end caps ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative first end cap.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative second end cap

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a chalk cartridge.

FIG. 15 is an accessory chamber side perspective view of the gym chalkcontainer of FIG. 3.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the chalk chamber side of the gym chalkcontainer of FIG. 3 showing a chalk cartridge being loaded therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding ofthe described embodiments. It will be apparent to one skilled in theart, however, that other embodiments of the present invention may bepracticed without some of these specific details. Several embodimentsare described herein, and while various features are ascribed todifferent embodiments, it should be appreciated that the featuresdescribed with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated with otherembodiments as well. By the same token, however, no single feature orfeatures of any described embodiment should be considered essential toevery embodiment of the invention, as other embodiments of the inventionmay omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

One embodiment is a gym chalk container 10, also referred to herein as acontainer 10. The container 10 is designed to store and dispensequantities of gym chalk for personal use, and to conveniently storeancillary personal items as well. Therefore, the container 10 is dividedinto two distinct and separate chambers, a chalk chamber 12, and anaccessory chamber 14. Gym chalk is utilized by users participating invarious sports including but not limited to gymnastics, rock climbing,weightlifting, parkour, and like.

The chalk chamber 12 is used to store and dispense gym chalk andtherefore includes a mesh screen 16 at or near an open end 18. The chalkchamber 12 further includes a cap 20, plug or similar structureoperatively associated with the open end 18 to close the chalk chamber12. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 12, the cap 20 seals the mesh screen16 within the chalk chamber 12 when the cap 20 is closed. The chalkchamber 12 also includes a closed end 22 opposite the open end 18 andseparated from the open end 18 by a sidewall 23. The chalk chamber 12therefore defines an interior space for chalk storage between the closedend 22 and the mesh screen 16 within the sidewall 23.

The cap 20 may be a unitary component which threads into engagement orpress-fits into engagement with the open end 18 of the chalk chamber 12.In other embodiments, the cap 20 may include multiple components. Forexample, the cap 20 embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 includes aplug 24 sized to seal the chalk chamber 12. The plug 24 may be connectedto the chalk chamber 12 or connected to a separable mesh supportingstructure attached to the chalk chamber 12 with a flexible ring andstrap 25. In this embodiment, one or both the cap 20 and the open end 18or the mesh supporting structure may include a shoulder, an edge, aridge 26, a bushing, or other structure providing a seal between theplug 24 and the chalk chamber 12 or any mesh supporting structure. Oneor both the cap 20 and the open end 18 may be fabricated from adeformable or elastomeric material or include a deformable orelastomeric ring, bushing, or similar structure to provide a sealbetween the cap 20 and open end 18 or mesh supporting structure.

An alternative cap embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. Thealternative cap embodiment includes an annular body 27 that is press-fitor otherwise engaged with the open end 18 of the chalk chamber 12. Theannular body 27 houses the mesh screen 16. The annular body 27 isconnected to a lid 28 with a hinge 30. Thus, the entire cap 20,including the screen 16, may be removed from the chalk chamber 12, tofill the chalk chamber 12 with gym chalk. When the cap 20 is attached tothe chalk chamber 12, the lid 28 may be opened to dispense chalk. In cap20 embodiments including a hinge 30, a spring 43 may be provided withinthe hinge to either bias the lid 28 to a closed position when releasedby a user, or bias the lid 28 to an open position when the lid 28 isinitially disengaged from a seal with the annular body 27. The lid 28may optionally include tabs 29 which facilitate a user flipping the lidopen with one hand, particularly when a spring 43 is used to bias thelid 28 into an open position after the user disengages the lid 28 fromthe annular body 27.

As noted above, the mesh screen 16 serves to limit the amount of chalkthat will be dispensed from the chalk chamber 12 during normaloperations. The mesh screen 16 can be fabricated from metal, plastic oranother suitable material and will have mesh openings or holes sized tometer how much chalk can be conveniently shaken into a user's handduring normal operations.

The container 10 further includes an accessory chamber 14 sized andconfigured to hold any number of typically small personal items such asa tube of lipstick, a locker key, a blister repair kit, cash, car keys,etc. The accessory chamber 14 includes an open end 32 which may beclosed with a cap 33 or plug.

The accessory chamber 14 also includes a closed end 34 which ispositioned opposite the open end 32 and separated from the open end 32by a sidewall 36. The accessory chamber 14 therefore defines an interiorspace between the closed end 34 and the cap 33 within the sidewall 36for accessory item storage.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the closed end 22 of the chalk chamber 12and the closed end 34 of the accessory chamber 14 are positionedadjacent to each other when the container 10 is assembled. Thus, theopen ends 18 and 32 respectively face away from the other at oppositeends of the container 10 when it is assembled.

In certain embodiments, the cap 33 closing the accessory chamber 14 willbe substantially identical to the cap 20 closing the chalk chamber 12.In other embodiments, the caps 20, 33 will have different structures.The cap 33 can include threads, a friction-fit surface, press-fitsurface, or similar structure to engage with the open end 32 of theaccessory chamber 14.

The cap 33 may be a unitary component which threads into engagement orpress-fits into engagement with either the accessory chamber 14 or anancillary structure attached to the accessory chamber 14. In otherembodiments, the cap 33 may include multiple components. For example,the cap 33 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 includes a plug 38 sized toseal the accessory chamber 14. The plug 38 may be attached to theaccessory chamber 14 with a flexible ring and strap 39. In thisembodiment, one or both the cap 33 and the accessory chamber 14 or anyancillary structure may include a shoulder, edge, a ridge, a bushing, orother structure providing a seal between the plug 38 and the open end 18or ancillary structure. One or both the cap 33 and the accessory chamber14 may be fabricated from a deformable or elastomeric material orinclude a deformable or elastomeric ring, bushing, or similar structureto provide a seal between the cap 33 and open end 32 or ancillarystructure.

An alternative cap 33 embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 13. Thealternative cap embodiment includes an annular body 40 for that ispress-fit or otherwise engaged at the open end 32 of the accessorychamber 14. The annular body 40 is substantially identical to theannular body 27 but does not include a mesh screen 16. The annular body40 is connected to a lid 41 with a hinge 42. Thus, the entire cap 33 maybe removed from the accessory chamber 14. Typically, a user will merelyopen the lid 41 to insert or remove personal items from the accessorychamber 14. In cap 33 embodiments including a hinge 42, a spring 43 maybe provided within the hinge to either bias the lid 41 to a closedposition when released by a user, or bias the lid 41 to an open positionwhen the lid 41 is initially disengaged from a seal with the annularbody 40.

The container 10 may also optionally include a ring 44, extension, loop,or similar attachment point for the purpose of connecting the container10 to a carabiner, clip 45, link, or other intermediate structure forsubsequent attachment to a gym bag strap, belt loop, locker, or similararticle. An alternative connection structure may be permanently formedin one of sidewalls 23 and 36.

The various chambers and structures comprising the container 10 may befabricated from any suitable material, including but not limited to,metal, plastic, or composites. The various chambers and structuresincluded in the container 10 may be molded, formed, machined, orfabricated using any combination of fabrication techniques.

The chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14 may, in certainembodiments, be permanently bonded together or co-formed from a singletube or other structure with the closed ends 22 and 34 positionedtogether within the container 10 and the respective open ends 18 and 32facing away from each other, out of the opposing ends of the structure.In one embodiment, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there are no separate orseparable sidewalls 23 and 36. In such an embodiment, a single sidewall46 defines both the chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14. Thesingle sidewall 46 may be fabricated from a metal tube, plastic tube orsimilar tubular structure. Alternatively, the single sidewall 46 couldbe square, rectangular, octagonal or have another cross-sectional shape.A center plug 47 may be installed within the single sidewall 46 tocreate a partition defining one or both of the closed end 22 of thechalk chamber 12 and the closed end 34 of the accessory chamber 14. Thecenter plug 47 may be installed within the single sidewall by a pressfit, with adhesive, or with other fasteners. In an alternativeembodiment, the center plug 47 may be a partition that is whollyintegrated with the sidewall 46 and remains after the chalk chamber 12and accessory chamber 14 interiors are machined or molded.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the chalk chamber 12 and accessorychamber 14 may not be separated from each other. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 9 the chalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14 areremovably connected to each other. In these embodiments, the chambers 12and 14 have substantially equivalent circular cross sections at or nearthe closed ends 22 and 34. Other matching cross-sectional shapes arepossible. The chambers 12 and 14 may be connected by threading thechambers together at the closed ends 22 and 34. Specifically, one closedend may include male threads 48 and the other closed end may includecorresponding female threads 49. Thus, the separable chalk chamber 12and accessory chamber 14 may be threaded together to form a unit, forexample a substantially cylindrical container 10 as illustrated in thefigures with the openings 18 and 32 facing opposite each other.

In an alternative embodiment including a separable chalk chamber 12 andaccessory chamber 14, the junction between the chambers may beaccomplished with a press-fit coupling, fasteners, or other engagements.

In certain embodiments, the mesh screen 16 may be housed in a removablemesh supporting structure permitting the mesh screen 16 to be removedfrom the open end 18 of the chalk chamber 12. One example of a meshsupporting structure permitting the mesh screen 16 to be removed is theannular body 27 described above. Another example of a mesh supportingstructure permitting the mesh screen 16 to be removed from the chalkchamber is a threaded end piece 50 that can be attached to the chalkchamber 12 by engaging threads 51 formed on the end piece 50 withcorresponding threads 52 formed at the open end 18 of the chalk chamber12. In other embodiments, the mesh screen 16 may be housed in aremovable press-fit housing, an interior, ring, bushing, grommet, orother structure that can be removed from the open end 18 of the chalkchamber 12. In certain embodiments, the mesh screen 16 may not include asupporting structure of any sort and may be removable by itself.Providing a removable mesh screen 16 with or without a mesh supportingstructure is advantageous because removal of the mesh screen 16 from thechalk chamber 12 is a prerequisite to conveniently refilling the chalkchamber 12 with chalk.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mesh screen 16 may also be removed from the meshsupporting structure, in this instance threaded end piece 50, forcleaning or replacement.

As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment ring 44 may be held captive betweenthe threaded end piece 50 and chalk chamber 12 when the threaded endpiece 48 and chalk chamber 12 are threaded together. Alternatively, theattachment ring 44 may be engaged with a groove 53 defined by one of thesidewalls. Although threaded and push-fit engagements are shown in thefigures and described in detail above, the various chambers, end pieces,attachment ring structures, mesh supports, and other structures couldalternatively be attached to corresponding structures with supplementalattachment structures, screws, adhesives, or by other means.

In certain embodiments, gym chalk is simply placed within the chalkchamber 12 prior to use. In other embodiments, the chalk is containedwithin a removable chalk cartridge 54. The removable chalk cartridge 54is sized to fit within the chalk chamber 12, as shown in FIG. 14. Theillustrated removable chalk cartridge 54 is implemented with atransparent plastic bottle 55 having a removable bottle lid 56. Afterthe transparent plastic bottle 55 and chalk are inserted into the chalkchamber 12, the bottle lid 56 may be removed and recycled.

Another embodiment disclosed herein is a method of dispensing chalkusing the container 10. Method embodiments include storing gym chalk inthe chalk chamber and dispensing the chalk through the mesh screen 16.Method embodiments further include storing one or more personal items inthe accessory chamber 14.

In certain embodiments, the chalk dispensing method may includeproviding a removable mesh support attached to the chalk chamber 12 thatsupports the mesh screen 16, removing the removable mesh support fromthe open end 18; and placing gym chalk into the chalk chamber 12. Thegym chalk may be placed directly into the chalk chamber 12, or the gymchalk may be contained within a chalk cartridge 54 that is placed withinthe chalk chamber 12.

In embodiments including a separable connection between the chalkchamber 12 and the accessory chamber 14, the method may includeseparating the chalk chamber from the accessory chamber at the separableconnection, for example by unthreading a threaded connection between thechalk chamber 12 and accessory chamber 14. A method embodiment may alsoinclude attaching the gym chalk container to another item with anattachment ring and/or clip attached to the gym chalk container.

Having described certain exemplary embodiments, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widelydiffering embodiments and applications of the invention will suggestthemselves without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Hence, while various embodiments are described with, or without, certainfeatures for ease of description and to illustrate exemplary aspects ofthose embodiments, the various components and/or features describedherein with respect to a particular embodiment can be substituted, addedand/or subtracted from among other described embodiments, unless thecontext dictates otherwise. Consequently, although several exemplaryembodiments are described above, it will be appreciated that theinvention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents withinthe scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gym chalk container comprising: a chalk chambercomprising a first open end and a first closed end; a mesh screenpositioned at the first open end; a first cap positioned to close thefirst open end; an accessory chamber comprising a second open end and asecond closed end, wherein the first closed end is adjacent to thesecond closed end, and wherein the first open end faces away from thesecond closed end; and a second cap positioned to close the second openend.
 2. The gym chalk container of claim 1 wherein the first capcomprises an annular body supporting the mesh screen.
 3. The gym chalkcontainer of claim 2 wherein the first cap further comprises: a hinge;and a lid connected to the annular body with the hinge.
 4. The gym chalkcontainer of claim 3 wherein the first cap further comprises a springoperatively associated with a hinge to bias the lid into an open or aclosed configuration.
 5. The gym chalk container of claim 1 furthercomprising a threaded end piece configured to be connected in threadedengagement with the chalk chamber, wherein the threaded end piecesupports the mesh screen.
 6. The gym chalk container of claim 1 furthercomprising: a single housing defining the chalk chamber and theaccessory chamber; and a center plug positioned within the singlehousing, between the first open end and the second open end, wherein thecenter plug defines the first closed end and the second closed end. 7.The gym chalk container of claim 1 further comprising a separableconnection between the chalk chamber and the accessory chamber,permitting the chalk chamber to be disconnected from the accessorychamber.
 8. The gym chalk container of claim 7 wherein the separableconnection between the chalk chamber and the accessory chamber is athreaded connection.
 9. The gym chalk container of claim 1 furthercomprising: an attachment ring; and a clip connected to the attachmentring.
 10. The gym chalk container of claim 1 wherein the chalk chamberand the accessory chamber comprise corresponding circular cross-sectionsat the first closed end and at the second closed end.
 11. The gym chalkcontainer of claim 1 further comprising a removable chalk cartridgesized to fit within the chalk chamber.
 12. The gym chalk container ofclaim 11 wherein the removable chalk cartridge comprises: a transparentplastic bottle; and a removable bottle lid.
 13. A method of dispensinggym chalk comprising: providing a gym chalk container comprising: achalk chamber comprising a first open end and a first closed end; a meshscreen positioned at the first open end; a first cap positioned to closethe first open end; an accessory chamber comprising a second open endand a second closed end; wherein the first closed end is adjacent thesecond closed end, and wherein the first open end faces away from thesecond open end; and a second cap positioned to close the second openend; opening the first cap; dispensing gym chalk through the meshscreen; opening the second cap; and placing a personal item in theaccessory chamber.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:providing a removable mesh support supporting the mesh screen; removingthe removable mesh support from the first open end; and placing the gymchalk into the chalk chamber.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein thestep of placing the gym chalk into the chalk chamber comprises placing achalk cartridge containing the gym chalk into the chalk chamber.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 further comprising providing the chalk cartridge as atransparent plastic bottle and a removable bottle lid.
 17. The method ofclaim 13 further comprising: providing a separable connection betweenthe chalk chamber and the accessory chamber; and separating the chalkchamber from the accessory chamber at the separable connection.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 further comprising: providing a threaded connectionbetween the chalk chamber and the accessory chamber; and separating thechalk chamber from the accessory chamber by unthreading the threadedconnection.
 19. The method of claim 13 further comprising attaching thegym chalk container to another structure with an attachment ring andclip attached to the gym chalk container.